Vacuum cleaner for swimming pools



Nov. 14, 1961 R. E. WEST 3,008,160

VACUUM CLEANER FOR SWIMMING POOLS Filed June 12, 1959 as 2 Z0 F19. 2

Z6 26 l8 T ROBERT E. WEST INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY BY I United States Patent 3,008,160 VACUUM CLEANER FOR SWIMMHN'G POOLS Robert E. West, Levittown, Pa., assignor to Comar Plastics, Iuc., Butler, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 12, 1959, Ser. No. 819,953

. 1 Claim. (Cl. 151.7)

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners for use in swimming pools and is directed particularly to construetions adapted for use in swimming pools having a liner formed of flexible plastic material.

It is common practice to employ a vacuum type cleaner for removing the dirt and accumulations of sediment which collect on the walls and bottom of a swimming pool. However, such constructions have heretofore been relatively difficult and unsatisfactory in use particularly when the sides and bottom of the pool are coated with flexible plastic material. Sheets of such material are frequently employed as a liner for inexpensive swimming pools and may be laid directly over a foundation of dirt, cement or other material which is somewhat uneven or irregular. Under such conditions the vacuum cleaners heretofore provided may puncture the plastic material as they are moved about and into corners of the pool. Moreover, any looseness or flexibility of the liner may allow it to be drawn forceably against the suction face of the cleaner so that it will squat or be held against the surface of the liner or be pulled out of place as the suction head is moved over its surface.

In accordance with the present invention, a vacuum cleaner head is provided which is free of angular surfaces or portions which might puncture or injure a plastic liner of a pool. The construction is further designed with water passages on its lower surface which positively prevent the suction from drawing up the plastic or causing it to squat or adhere to the liner. At the same time, the construction is such as to permit its use on swimming pools which are lined with tile, cement or other hard surface materials.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a novel type of vacuum cleaner for swimming pools which is economical to produce and effective in its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head for a vacuum cleaner which will prevent puncturing or damage to a swimming pool liner.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner head with means providing fluid passages on the lower surface thereof which prevent the material over which the cleaner is moved from being drawn against or adhering to the lower surface of the cleaner.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof wherein reference is made to the figures of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a typical and preferred form of vacuum cleaner head embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the vacuum cleaner head illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view looking upward into the vacuum cleaner head of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In that form of vacuum cleaner chosen for purposes of illustration in the drawing, the cleaner embodies a head indicated generally at 2 which is circular in shape and provides a neck or connection 4 to which a suction hose 6 may be attached. A handle 8 is secured to the upper surface of the head by pivot means 10 so that the head ice may be easily moved over the bottom, sides, ends or other surface of a swimming pool to be cleaned.

In the preferred form of theinvention the head 2 is formed of rubber or other relatively stiff but flexible material and is formed on its upper surface with stiffening webs or vanes 12 which extend from a central hub or collar 14 surrounding the neck 4 to a thickened outer marginal edge 16.. An annular brush member 18 extends downwardly from the edge 16 of the head and may embody a metal backing 20 by which the bristles of the brush are secured in place. If desired, the edge 16 of the brush may be made sufficiently flexible to permit ready insertion and removal of the brush 18 for installation or replacement thereof.

The body 22 of the head 2 between the webs 12 is continuous and cooperates with the brush to form a vacuum chamber communicating with the neck 4 whereby water and dirt or sediment removed from the surface of the pool may be drawn inward between the bristles of the brush to the vacuum chamber for removal through the neck 4 of the cleaner.

In order to prevent the head from being drawn down against the surface of the pool due to flexibility of the head, and further in order to prevent a pool lining, such as that shown at 24, from being drawn up against the body of the head, the lower surface of the body 22 is provided with channel forming members 26. As shown, the lower surface of the body 22 is substantially flat and the members 26 consist of ribs which extend radially outward from points near the neck 4 toward the brush marginal portion 16. The ribs 26 are spaced apart but are of such extent and are so located as to prevent the lining 24 from being drawn up against the lower surface of the body 22. The head, therefore, is supported at all times by the brush 18 and the ribs 26 in such a manner as to maintain a plurality of water channels in open communication with the neck 4 of the head. Water, dirt and sediment can then flow freely through the brush and the channels of the vacuum chamber to the neck of the head for discharge from the vacuum cleaner.

As a result, the vacuum cleaner is prevented from developing excessive suction which might lift or drag on the lining of a swimming pool. At the same time the head and its bristles are sufficiently flexible to assure effective cleaning of a swimming pool even though the surface thereof might be somewhat irregular.

It will further be noted that by forming the body 22 of the head 2 of rubber or similarly flexible material, it it capable of flexing or responding to changes in the amount of suction developed whereby a more nearly uniform suction effect may be maintained. Moreover, the supporting of the suction head directly by the bristles of brush 18 affords a most effective brushing or scouring action which is enhanced by the pressure developed by the suction applied to the lower surface of the head. Nevertheless, the ribs 26 prevent squatting or adhesion of the suction head to the surface being cleaned even when the bristles of the brush are severely flexed or worn away.

The construction thus provided is light in weight and easy to produce and use, whereas it serves to effect thorough cleaning of a swimming pool with a minimum danger of injury.

The suction head may, of course, be oval in form or have other suitable shape and the ribs or channel forming members on the lower surface of the body may 'be changed in form, construction and arrangement. In view thereof, it should be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing and described above is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

I claim:

A vacuum cleaner for use in swimming pools comprising ahead having a body presenting a downwardly facing lower surface, a brushsecured to said head and extending throughout the marginal portion of said surface and cooperating with said body to d'efine a suction chamber, meansvforming a passage communicating with said suction chamber for the application of suction thereto, and channel forming means of less height than the brush extending downward from the lower surface of said body between said passage andsaid brush so that the brush References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 612,612 Lynds Oct. 18, 1898 1,667,082 Robinson Apr. 24, 1928 2,769,549 Bixby Nov. 6, 1956 

